Young in camp on time for Rangers without trade

SURPRISE, Ariz.
— Michael Young reported to spring training on time Saturday for the Texas Rangers after the team was unable to fulfill his request for a trade.

Young arrived in camp a day before the first full-squad workout for the AL champions.

“You’re always ready to put any type of drama that comes into camp behind you,” manager Ron Washington said Saturday morning before Young’s arrival. “Michael will get here and we’re going to have a schedule and he’s certainly going to be part of that schedule and we’re going to go to work.”

Texas plans for Young to be its primary designated hitter and have him fill in at every infield position. It is the third time in eight springs Young’s role with the team has changed.

The Rangers this winter signed two-time Gold Glove third baseman Adrian Beltre, supplanting Young at third base and prompting the trade request.

After arriving in the clubhouse around noon local time, Young shook hands with new teammate Mike Napoli, who was acquired by the Rangers in a trade. Young then went out of the room and didn’t immediately speak to reporters.

Young, the team’s longest-tenured player going in his 11th season and their career hits leader, requested the trade last month. He said he was “misled” and “manipulated” by the team, though he didn’t elaborate on how.

“I don’t anticipate any awkwardness. Michael isn’t the kind of person that’s going to bring any kind of drama to the clubhouse,” Washington said. “He’s going to come here and be the professional he is. … Michael is not a clubhouse guy that is going to bring everybody down. He wants to win too bad.”

When Young became a starter for the Rangers in 2001, he was a second baseman. He moved to shortstop in the spring of 2004 after Alex Rodriguez was traded, then switched to third base two years ago.

Young also asked for a trade before spring training in 2009, when the Rangers decided to move him again, even though he has just won his first Gold Glove and had been an All-Star in all five of his seasons at shortstop.

That move allowed the Rangers to promote Elvis Andrus, who at the time was 20 years old and had never played above the Double-A level. Andrus was runner up for AL rookie of the year in 2009, then was an All-Star last season.

Several teams expressed an interest in the last few weeks in acquiring Young, but dealing him proved difficult because of his contract and his lengthy no-trade list.

Young, who turned 34 last October during his first playoffs, is owed $46 million over the next three seasons ($15 million each of the next two seasons and $16 million in 2013). Most teams wanted the Rangers to pay the bulk of that and were offering little in return. There were only eight teams not on Young’s no-trade list.

While the Rangers tried to accommodate Young’s request for a trade, general manager Jon Daniels insisted he wouldn’t make a deal unless it made the team better.

Washington said Young would still be “an integral part” of the team. Since Young has played the other infield spots already, the plan is to work him at first base early this spring to determine if that is an option.

Young’s jersey has been hanging in his regular spring training locker all week. Teammates were anticipating his arrival and expected him to be himself in the clubhouse and on the field.

“Mike will come in, get his work in and it will be like normal. It’s a good thing,” AL MVP Josh Hamilton said after reporting to camp Friday. “He’s been somebody to look to as a natural leader, somebody who is respected on the field and is a professional on the field. I’ve learned a lot from Michael.”

Second baseman Ian Kinsler, one of Young’s best friends and in the locker beside him, said everybody wants Young on the team.

“When he gets in the locker room he’s going to be having fun with his teammates,” Kinsler said. “I don’t know that switching positions also changes his role in the locker room. If he’s in this locker room I’m sure that’s not going to change.”

Beltre, who signed a contract for a guaranteed $80 million over five seasons, described himself as sad when he heard Young had asked for a trade. He said “this ball club, this lineup and this clubhouse” is better with Young.

Andrus said Young and Kinsler made him feel comfortable his rookie year, helping with his adjustment to the majors.